Wash Morgan Hollow TTA

 Deb led another great outing. She plus 7 of us hiked up Wash Morgan Hollow SNA to the end of the Hollow to the waterfall. There is no trail here, you just hike up the creek. Up the creek we found wildflowers on the banks, fossils, and several cool rocks. Visited the Cookeville City Lake Natural Area. Then to the Boils WMA for lunch and a swim. Bill seemed to have had the most fun, trying out the swinging rope. The water was nice and cool! Then to Cummins Falls SP to see Cummins Falls and the old homestead.

I started home from there, the others visited Bee Rock on their way home.

Copied pics from Deb's post on TTA

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Lost Cove TTA

 

Scenic City Chapter led by Betsy explored Lost Cove in Sewannee. Via Point Disappointment (the view was disappointing with all the leaves on the trees blocking the view) and Potter Ridge Trail. It's a relatively new trail with cliffs and rock formations. Lost Creek was dry so it must be lost too.  Hiked out and back so climbing out it was hot! We added a loop on the Caldwell Rim Trail. Picked some blackberries and huckleberries. Yummy! 

When we got back to the parking area, opened the car doors to a blast of hot air. Stopped at a market to get something cold to drink. Then on to the Natural Bridge. 

It was nice to see some friends and make some new ones. 

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Dog Cove Historic Area

Kat Champlin, certified Tennessee Naturalist, and Conservationist led 15 hikers from Plateau/Upper Cumberland on the Hardy Trail in Dog Cove. It was recently completed, and they will put gravels in the parking area maybe next week.  It's a pretty trail with a waterfall that didn't have much water today, and an overlook that with all the leaves on the trees, you couldn't see Dog Cove. There are rock walls, streams, and wildflowers, and huckleberries! 

Next stop was the Historic Rock House, a toll house and stage stop on the early stagecoach road that ran from Knoxville to Nashville. Famous patrons were Andrew Jackson, James Polk, and Sam Houston. The DAR are custodians, the historian Rick had so many stories to share. Every artifact in there has a story, if the walls could talk I'm sure the historian would be able to share those stories too. 

Next was the Calfkiller River Trail in Sparta, then on to Happy Trails Brewery to sample the brews and wait for our reservation at Marioochi's Pizza which was great food. 

Great day with great people.  Thanks Deb and Kat!

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Collins/Barren Fork Rivers TTA

 

We put in at the boat ramp in Pepper Branch Park in McMinville and took out at the old VFW boat ramp on 70. It was a great overcast day for being on the rivers and we had good current. It was about six river miles total. Wayne was our leader and did a good job, even showing us where not to go through the rapids. Jim did a wonderful job of providing entertainment by going under a bush. It was a great time with good folks.

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